Fair sex

To show that men weren't behind in toughness, from volume XVI of Sporting Magazine (April-September 1800).

TUESDAY morning July 1, was fought the long expected battle between Andrew Gamble, an Irishman, and Noah James, formerly belonging to the Horse Guards, for a stake of 100 guineas, upon Wimbledon Common, at no great distance from the spot where are exhibited the remains of the notorious Abershaw.

There were depending on this match bets to the amount of 5000l. The deposit money was drawn on the evening before from Kelly and the other holders, and lodged in the hands of other persons.

The combatants set to about ten o'clock in the morning--Gamble having for his second Benjamin Stanyard, and Bartholomew for his bottle-holder. James's second was Joe Ward, and his bottle-holder Hall.

The two champions fought with astonishing fierceness, skill, and dexterity, for the space of fifty minutes; during which, they had no less than thirty rounds, when victory at length declared itself in favour of the Irishman. The odds were, at starting, six to four in favour of James; but, after half an hour's hard fighting, were ten to one in favour of Gamble, who displayed an uncommon degree of science and coolness throughout the whole affair.

Gamble is near six feet high, but by no means so stout in make as his adversary, who was shorter in stature, but so determined, that he fought seven rounds after his collar bone had been broken.

James vomited a great deal of blood at almost every round towards the conclusion, and was taken for dead from the stage.

Another battle is shortly to take place between the victorious Gamble and a Bristol man, who lately fought with success, in order to ascertain whether England or Ireland be the most capable of supplying, at this time, the best Pugilist.

Gamble is 29 years of age. He was apprenticed to a stone-mason in Dublin, and at an early period of life discovered a strong propensity to the pugilistic art. He has fought eighteen pitched battles with success. His most severe contest was in 1792, with Stoneyard, of Birmingham. They fought at Colchester with great skill and activity for an hour and twenty minutes. They were, however, so completely exhausted, that it was agreed to make it a drawn battle. The heroes of the fist have ever since entertained the utmost friendship for each other ; and Stoneyard, on the late occasion, acted as second to Gamble, who, in the course of thirty rounds, knocked his opponent down seventeen times.

James, who is a Cheshireman, is thirty-two years old. He has fought seventeen pitched battles. The most desperate was that with Wood, of the Guards, for one hour and sixteen minutes. It was a contest of great dexterity. James is very excellent bottom, as the following facts prove :

On the 12th round, his nose was broken ; on the 20th, his collar bone ; on the 25th, his jaw bone ; and on the 29th, his breast-bone.

Notwithstanding all these disasters, he fought two rounds afterwards.

James was given over by his physicians. Finding himself in this extremity of danger, he sent for Gamble, when he very generously exchanged forgiveness with his successful antagonist, who gave Mrs. James a handsome present.